What Would Have Happened to South America If the Nazis Won World War II

Between 1933 and 1941, the Nazi regime had ambitious plans to expand its economic influence in South America. This expansionary strategy aimed for economic hegemony through the exploitation of trade routes, challenging the dominance of Western powers in the region. Concurrent to these plans, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt presented his South American allies with a mysterious map, allegedly showcasing Nazi invasion plans for the continent.

Nazi Expansionist Goals

Hitler was often portrayed as an Atlanticist, believing that Nazi expansionary plans did not extend over the Atlantic Ocean. However, a supposed secret map made by the Nazi government details a plan of occupation in South America. Peruvian sources claim that this map closely mirrors Chile's expansionist policies towards northern territories of neighboring countries like Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador, envisaging these regions being integrated into a new order.

The Map and Its Implications

The map mentioned by Roosevelt was allegedly stolen by a British agent in Buenos Aires from a German Abwehr (military intelligence) agent. This document outlines how the Nazis would reorganize South America into several German satellite states. For instance, Guyana would come under the control of the Vichy French collaborationist regime, while Neuspanien (New Spain) would be established, with Chile divided by a corridor leading to Argentina, and the Pacific port of Antofagasta. These territories would encompass other South American nations as well.

The document also features the Luftverkehrsnetz der Vereinigten Staaten Süd-Amerikas - Hauptlinien (Air Routes of the United States of South America), along with various handwritten notes that indicate the envisioned German logistical infrastructure.

Nazi Espionage Efforts in South America

During WWII, the Germans established a vast network of spies in Latin America, including South America. One of their major operations was codenamed "Operation Bolívar." This operation, under the control of the German Security Service, was designed to collect and transmit clandestine information from Latin America to Europe. The Germans managed to establish a secret radio network from their base in Argentina, alongside a courier system using Spanish merchant ships to send intelligence reports.

Germany's motivations for expanding into Latin America were partly due to the significant German population in the region, a result of German colonization efforts in the 19th century. By 1941, Brazil had 360,000 Germans and their descendants, Argentina had 194,000, Chile 129,000, Mexico 165,000, Uruguay 16,000, and Bolivia 12,000. Among these populations, there were numerous affiliates of the Nazi party. For example, in 1937, Chile had 1,000 affiliates, Brazil 2,900, and Argentina 1,500.

The End of Operation Bolívar

The operation came to an effective end in mid-1944 when Argentine authorities arrested many of the German agents operating in their country. This action marked the downfall of Operation Bolívar. It is believed that the information gathered during the operation was more valuable to the Allies, who intercepted the secret transmissions, than to Germany itself.

Strategically positioned nations like Mexico, Brazil, Venezuela (oil), Chile (copper), Peru (cotton), and Colombia (platinum) were particularly valuable in terms of resource production. These nations' contributions were crucial in supporting the Allied war effort, despite the Nazi attempts to control them.

In conclusion, the Nazi plans for South America, along with operations like Operation Bolívar, were central to their broader war strategy. While these plans were ultimately frustrated by Allied interventions, they provide a fascinating look into the ambitions and methods of the Nazi regime. Understanding the history and the impact of these plans helps us appreciate the significant role played by South America in the global conflict.